Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has said he does not have the authority to permit or ban peaceful demonstrations in the country.
Mutamba made this clarification in response to a notification from the “Concerned Citizens of Zimbabwe,” who had informed him of their plans to stage nationwide protests on Thursday, March 20, 2025, over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government’s failure to address the nation’s persistent economic challenges.
In a letter dated March 18, 2025, which was shared on the ZRP’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, Commissioner-General Mutamba explained that the group’s communication had been misdirected. He said:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to a correspondence date 14 March 2025 on the above subject, which was served at my office on the same date at 1537 hours.
Having perused the said correspondence, and particularly noting that the author(s) intended to ‘notify the Joint Operations Command (JOC)’ of an intended ‘peaceful demonstration countrywide’, l am certain that it has been misdirected to my office.
</blockquote>
JOC is a high-level body responsible for coordinating state security. It includes senior officials from the Zimbabwe National Army, the Air Force of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, and the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Mutamba said the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act excludes his office from regulating mass gatherings such as demonstrations. He said:
<blockquote>
The Legislature, in its wisdom, through the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA)(Chapter 11:23), excludes my office from regulating public gatherings and demonstrations.
In fact, MOPA clearly outlines how these rights must be exercised. I, therefore, urge the concerned citizens, through their representatives, to ensure full compliance with the laws of Zimbabwe. Be guided accordingly.
</blockquote>
The Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) requires organisers of public gatherings, including demonstrations and processions, to notify the police in advance. The police are empowered to impose conditions on these gatherings to prevent any potential public disorder.
The Act holds organisers accountable for any damages or injuries that may result from the event, should they fail to take reasonable precautions.

Pindula News

Zimbabwe police boss Mutamba says he can't say yes or no to peaceful protests. People wanted to protest against the government but he can't approve. He explained this in a letter. There's a law that says how protests should be done. Mutamba can't control it. There is a group to keep things safe during these events. They need to tell the police before the protest and follow the rules. If anything goes wrong, they are responsible. So protests need to be done the right way.

Commissioner-General Mutamba Says He Has No Authority To Approve Or Block Peaceful Demonstrations

The newly appointed Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General, Stephen Mutamba, is reportedly purging officers perceived to be aligned with the recently retired Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
According to sources cited by <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/new-police-chief-makes-sweeping-changes/">The Mirror</a>, Matanga’s loyalists are being demoted to less influential positions, while those loyal to Mutamba are being promoted to powerful roles.
These changes are reportedly linked to factionalism within ZANU PF and the “ED2030” agenda. Unusually for police tradition, Mutamba is allegedly carrying out the transfers quietly, without notifying the rest of the force. Said a source:
<blockquote>
Police officers wake up in the morning to see a new Police boss. This is how secretive Mutamba’s appointments are taking place.
</blockquote>
Those affected by the transfers range from the rank of Superintendent to Commissioner.
The most notable transfer is that of Commissioner Crispen Charumbira, who has been reassigned to the CID after being removed a few years ago following allegations of misconduct.
Until this week, Charumbira was the Officer Commanding Masvingo and had been cleared of the charges he faced.
Commissioner Nyabasa, who was the Officer Commanding CID and allegedly aligned with Matanga, has been transferred to Matabeleland North Province.
It is generally believed within the police force that senior officers are sent to Matabeleland North as a form of punishment.
The Mirror understands that other commissioners transferred by Mutamba include: Nyirenda to Mash Central, Nyakutsikwa to PI, Sithole to Chiadzwa, Hlabiso to Electronic Traffic Management, Ndou to Monitoring and Evaluation, Chizemo to Bulawayo, Mbengwa to Masvingo, AC Zengeya acting CSO Transport and Tembo back to PGHQ Training and Development, Tshuma back to Staff College and Makamache to Anti Stock Theft.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The new police boss in Zimbabwe, Stephen Mutamba, is making big changes. He is moving officers who support the old boss, Godwin Matanga, to lower positions. Officers who support Mutamba are getting promoted to important roles. The changes are connected to political divisions in ZANU PF and a plan called "ED2030." Mutamba is doing the transfers secretly, surprising the other police officers. Many high-ranking officers are affected, including Commissioner Charumbira who was moved to CID. Some officers believe being sent to Matabeleland North is a punishment. Overall, Mutamba has made many transfers of senior officers to different provinces.

Mutamba Demotes Matanga Loyalists | Report

The new Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General, Stephen Mutamba, officially assumed leadership of the police service on Friday at a ceremony held at Mkushi Depot (formerly Morris Depot) in Harare.
Mutamba succeeded Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, who was retired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on December 31, 2024.
In his keynote address, Mutamba pledged to transform the ZRP into a modern and corruption-free police service by leveraging technology to fulfil its constitutional mandate. He said:
<blockquote>
I hope to build on the already reinforced pillars to ensure that the Zimbabwe Republic Police indeed becomes a modern police service that leverages technology towards fulfilling its Constitutional mandate.
In doing so, I will equally continue to ride on discipline as the cornerstone of the organisation whilst also expecting all members and officers of the organisation to remain steadfast.
</blockquote>
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe, Minister of State for National Security, Lovemore Matuke, the then Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo, Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Stephen Mutamba is the new boss of the Zimbabwe police. He promises to use technology to fight corruption in the police force. He took over from Tandabantu Godwin Matanga. The ceremony was attended by important government officials. Mutamba wants to make the police modern and honest. He wants all members to be disciplined. President Mnangagwa retired the old boss on December 31, 2024. Mutamba hopes to make the police a better service.

New ZRP Commissioner-General Vows To Combat Corruption In Police Force

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, effective December 31, 2024.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by Martin Rushwaya, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, on Friday, December 20.
Rushwaya also announced that Mnangagwa had appointed Deputy Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba as Matanga’s successor, with Mutamba set to assume the role of ZRP Commissioner General on January 1, 2025.
Matanga took over the position from Augustine Chihuri, who fled into exile after the November 2017 military coup. He has served during politically charged times.
Under Matanga’s leadership, numerous opposition activists and human rights defenders were arrested, often facing long periods of incarceration on charges such as convening illegal gatherings or inciting violence.
In recent years, armed robbery cases have surged, with incidents like the infamous Ecobank heist standing out. This daring robbery occurred in broad daylight on a busy street and was even captured on CCTV.
Meanwhile, in 2022, Mutamba was put under United States sanctions for his role in “undermining Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions”. The US then said:
<blockquote>
Over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties that oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party. In 2020, Mutamba supported Zimbabwe security services’ use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures.
Also in 2020, Mutamba supported the uneven enforcement of a COVID-19-related curfew, encouraging security forces to limit opposition activities and did not allow for foreign national officials located in Zimbabwe to meet with Zimbabwean opposition parties or civil society groups.
In 2021, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa has retired the police boss, Godwin Matanga, and will replace him with Stephen Mutamba starting in 2025. Matanga took over after a military coup in 2017. He has been criticized for arresting opposition activists and human rights defenders. There have been many armed robbery cases during his tenure, including a high-profile heist at Ecobank. Matanga's retirement comes amid rising crime rates and political tensions in Zimbabwe.

Mnangagwa Retires ZRP Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, Mutamba To Take Over

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a stern warning to teachers, emphasizing that demanding cash from parents for extra lessons and abusing learners is illegal.
During the 16th edition of the Commissioner General of Police’s Schools Merit Awards in Harare, ZRP Deputy Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba asserted that they will not tolerate such behaviour in schools. He said:
<blockquote>
Our success stories are being blemished by the actions of some bad elements among us.
I am informed that some staff members are putting pressure on parents from whom they are demanding extra and unnecessary charges for extra lessons.
From the onset, let me remind you all that the responsible ministry outrightly gave a position that it is illegal.
Some of you choose to take a lackadaisical approach to work or even fail to work during normal school time, only to wait for the ‘Remedial time’. That should stop forthwith.
Those who feel uncomfortable working in the classroom environment are free to come out in the open and the organisation will redeploy them elsewhere.
On another regrettable note, I was briefed on a recent shameful criminal incident which paints a very dark image of our schools.
Abuse of any nature on school children by teachers is a serious affront to the trust reposed in you as teachers.
I do not want to picture that there are some among you in the same ensnare. School staff, you are in loco parentis, entrusted with children by parents.
How dare you ponder wickedness towards children left in your custody? In any case, those children are your very own children whom you are expected to be protecting and nurturing.
Be warned. As the law enforcement agency, we will never stand aside and allow that to happen in schools, more so, our police schools. The safe and only place for violators of children’s rights is behind bars.
</blockquote>
Deputy Commissioner-General Mutamba announced plans to expand the network of ZRP schools nationwide, specifically to provide quality education for police officers’ children.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

MOPA Latest News

Latest Jobs